Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

AskHVAC.ca ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website at askhvac.ca, a free HVAC calculator and reference tool platform. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information about visitors to our website.

We are committed to complying with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy legislation.

2. What information we collect

Information you provide directly

• Contact form submissions: Name, email address, and message content when you use our contact form.
• Calculator inputs: Values you enter into our calculators are processed entirely in your browser. We do not store your calculation inputs on our servers.

Information collected automatically

• Usage data: Pages visited, time on site, referring URLs, and browser/device type collected via analytics.
• IP address: Collected automatically by our web server and analytics provider. Used in aggregated, anonymised form only.
• Cookies: See Section 4 for full details.

3. How we use your information

• To respond to contact form inquiries.
• To understand how the site is used so we can improve tools and content.
• To serve relevant advertising (see Section 5).
• To detect and prevent fraud or abuse.
• To comply with legal obligations.

We don't sell your personal information. We don't use it for automated decision-making that affects you legally.

4. Cookies and tracking

We use the following types of cookies:

• Strictly necessary: Dark mode preference, language setting. These are stored in your browser's localStorage and contain no personal data. You can clear them by clearing your browser storage.
• Analytics: We use Google Analytics (or a privacy-respecting alternative) to understand site usage in aggregate. Analytics cookies collect anonymised data about page views and navigation. You can opt out via your browser settings or a browser extension like uBlock Origin.
• Advertising: If advertising is served on the site, ad networks may place cookies to serve and measure ads. See Section 5.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling analytics and advertising cookies doesn't affect the calculators — they work entirely without cookies.

5. Advertising

AskHVAC.ca displays advertising to support the free operation of the platform. We may work with Google AdSense or other advertising partners. These partners may use cookies and similar technologies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this site and other sites.

We don't allow advertisers to target ads based on sensitive categories (health conditions, financial distress, etc.). Ads are labelled "Advertisement" throughout the site.

To opt out of interest-based advertising by Google, visit adssettings.google.com. For other ad networks, visit youradchoices.ca.

6. How we share information

We share information only in these circumstances:

• Service providers: Hosting, analytics, and email delivery providers who process data on our behalf under data processing agreements.
• Advertising partners: As described in Section 5.
• Legal requirements: When required by law or to protect the rights, property, or safety of AskHVAC.ca, our users, or the public.
• Business transfer: If AskHVAC.ca is acquired or merged, user data may transfer to the successor entity.

7. Data retention

Contact form submissions are retained for up to 2 years to allow follow-up on bug reports and feature requests. Analytics data is retained in aggregate form for up to 26 months. You can request deletion of your contact data at any time by emailing [email protected].

8. Your rights

Under PIPEDA and applicable provincial law, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements).
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
• Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We respond to all privacy requests within 30 days.

9. Children's privacy

AskHVAC.ca is intended for professional and adult use. We don't knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 16. If you believe a child has submitted personal information through our contact form, contact us and we'll delete it promptly.

10. Changes to this policy

We update this policy when our practices change materially. The "Last updated" date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. For significant changes, we'll post a notice on the site.

11. Contact us

For privacy-related questions, data requests, or complaints:

• Email: [email protected]
• Contact form: Contact AskHVAC.ca

If you're not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at priv.gc.ca.